Alcohol and Other Drugs
Adolescence is typically a period of experimentation.
Drinking and substance use in adolescence can lead to poor decision making and judgement, resulting in physical or sexual harm to the individual or others. It can also be harmful to young people’s physical development, particularly brain development.
Adolescence is a critical period in young people's development towards adulthood. What you learn during your teenage years, and how you learn it, can set your path for later life. Alcohol and other drug consumption during this time can bring about learning difficulties, memory problems and other problems later in life.
The changes that occur to the brain during the teenage years make young people more vulnerable to drug dependence. People who first use alcohol before age 15 are five times more likely to abuse alcohol than those who first use alcohol at age 21 or older. This increased use leads to a greater chance of alcohol-related problems in later life, including becoming dependent on alcohol (addiction).
The safest level of drinking for teenagers is no drinking, and it is important to be aware of the laws about serving alcohol to minors in your in your own home, as these have changed in some states. Ring DrugInfo on 1300 858 584, contact your local legal aid service or visit the Lawstuff website to find out the situation in your area.